September 21, 2018 is one date that Dunrobin and area residents will not soon forget – the day the winds pummeled their community beyond recognition.
Here in Stittsville, another wind was roaring and it came from the Stittsville District Lions Club. They knew the damage was bad and that they needed to help our close neighbours. Immediately after the tornado, the Lions members came together, cooked food in the kitchen at the Lions Hall and took it to the West Carleton High School Emergency Centre where they served it to the affected residents of Dunrobin. An initiative also started at the Stittsville District Lions Club, secured a $10K US$ (~$13K CDN) grant from the Lions Clubs International Foundation. This was distributed to those who applied for assistance throughout the District which mainly included families from the Dunrobin area and to one family from Gatineau. From other Lions Clubs in the District, $8K was raised which will be donated to the Calabogie Lions Club to be distributed to families affected in that area.
With the organization’s annual fundraising campaign soon to begin, the Stittsville District Lions Club were quick to decide that any funds raised would also go to the ‘Dunrobin Assistance Fund’. The Lions Club’s fundraising campaigns have helped many organizations and people throughout years, but it was felt that Dunrobin’s need was greater this year – a community where aid was needed immediately.
Stittsville residents are known for their generosity and generosity they showed. From this fundraising campaign, 93 people came forth with donations, including 83 local companies (their names are posted on the sponsor sign at the Village Square Park) who had donated $125 or more. From these donations, $19,000 plus has been raised! If 93 donations can raise this much money imagine if everyone in our community donated just $1.00? You can still donate to the Stittsville District Lions Club for the Dunrobin Assistance Fund by contacting Darryl Metzger through his office at: darryl.metzger@edwardjones.com or by calling Darryl at (613)831-8028. Tax receipts will be provided.
If you are interested in getting involved in this annual fundraising event, you should contact Darryl Metzger directly. The Stittsville District Lions Club has annually installed the Christmas lights at the Village Square Park in time for Stittsville’s Santa Parade and for everyone to enjoy. If you can give a few donated hours to help with this lighting initiative next year, please get in touch with Darryl. As the old adage goes – many hands make light work!
There is obviously a place in every community for service clubs like the Lions. If anyone in the Dunrobin/Kinburn area is interested in starting a Lions Club to serve that community, they should contact President Lion Paul Riddell at riddellpaul7@gmail.com. The Stittsville District Lions Club would be happy to sponsor this initiative.
The Councillor for the Dunrobin area, Eli El-Chantiry, has recognized and appreciated the generosity shown by the Stittsville District Lions Club to the residents of his community! We all appreciate your hard work!
Stittsville businesses and private citizens who donated should be proud that the amount raised will help so many, especially during the Christmas season.